Miscellaneous - Safety Pins and Genius, Go Johnny Go

  by Spencer Robertshaw

published: 25 / 6 / 2010

intro

With John Lydon about to tour again this month with Public Image Limited, Spencer Robertshaw in his 'Evidently Spencertown' poetry series reflects upon the legendary punk figure

Tartan trousers, safety pins and Genius Every now and then we get one Can't even sing a song Every now and then we get one Makes the bloody song Clever bleeders like John Lydon Don’t sit still Clever bleeders like John Lydon Go and form a band called PIL Metal canisters hold his wares Funky tunes with jazzy snares Stopped the media in their tracks Johnny Rotten pissed up their backs Go Johnny go, give it to the fans Back on tour but not living out of vans Safety pins and genius still the mode of play Johnny Lydon’s here, Johnny's here's to stay Clothes by Aunty Vivienne, cost a bloody packet Music by Johnny Lydon, not just a punk racket Post punk force a powerful thing When Johnny Lydon pulls the strings See how he plays the media game He keeps ahead not staying the same Go Johnny go, give it to us all In a post punk Westwood dressed anarchic ball